Introduces key themes of occupational science including the human drive to remain occupied, creation of identity through meaningful activity and enhancing health and wellness through occupation. With self-analysis of occupational patterns and strategies for adapting and responding to changing circumstances, you learn that what you do during your hours, days, months, and years defines who you are, and that your identity and the meaning and purpose of your life are manifest through your daily activities (occupations).

OT 260 Human Functional Anatomy for the Occupational Therapist (3)

OT 261 Human Physiology for Occupational Therapists (3)

Provides a general overview of human physiology with special emphasis on physiologic systems supporting internal homeostatic mechanisms and human motion applicable for occupational therapists. Open only to OT majors. Recommended preparation: undergraduate biology course.

Analyzes specific ways individuals create, manage, shift and mold their identities through their choice of and participation in various occupations. This course specifically considers self-identity through occupations by examining the experiences of people from various ages, backgrounds, gender, ethnicity and so on. You will gain insight about how occupations intersect with numerous aspects of society and culture in constructing the self.

OT 310 Creativity Workshop (2)

Examines the relationship between creativity and occupation in response to conflict and change. You will explore creativity and occupation through personal involvement in a creative project and the analysis of life stories, creative works and testimonies to support creativity in the arts, sciences, professions, evolution, daily life, and culture.

OT 312 Creating a Sustainable Lifestyle (2)

Scientists and policymakers advocate lifestyle changes as crucial to solving the environmental crisis. Investigation into the development of habits that promote environmental sustainability and personal well-being.

Delves into the complex nature of occupation and how it contributes to the experience of being human. Drawing on a wide range of material, from scientific research to literary analysis, you will study three major themes: observing and classifying occupations, the impact and function of occupations on well-being, and the symbolic significance of occupations. This course enables self-discovery as well as expanding knowledge about the power and importance of occupations.

OT 325 The Brain: Mind, Body, and Self (4)

Explores the complex interactions among neuroscience, cognition, and social experiences. Our thought processes and social perceptions stem from interactions between our brain and the world. This class aims to understand the nature of this interaction, exploring questions like “what is the biological basis for understanding other people’s intentions?” We will review new research in this growing field and explore what this knowledge adds to our understanding of both the human brain and human social experience.

OT 330 Perspectives on the Daily Life of Families (4)

Addresses the occupational dimensions of families by exploring the meanings embedded in acts of daily life and thematic organization of the family. Many of the roles we enact (child, parent, partner, caregiver) are expressed by the occupations we perform in our families and many of the meanings and rituals we value come through family occupations, which in turn are influenced by family structures and processes and culture. In this course you will examine this vital arena of occupational expression and the experiences of families in various contexts.

OT 333 Sports Ethics (4)

Critically examines ethical issues central to the world of sports that range from matters of fair play and cheating to performance-enhancing drugs and gene-doping. Not available for major credit for occupational therapy students.

OT 350 Disability, Occupations, and the Health Care System (4)

Specifically examines how occupations can enhance optimal functioning of individuals and groups and how occupations facilitate recovery from illness and disability. Course work centers on discussions about the personal narratives of persons from a variety of backgrounds who have disabilities and the analysis of occupational adaptations and transformations they have made. You will particularly focus on the influence of cultural ideologies and attitudes in creating barriers and opportunities.

OT 355 Occupational Reconstructions and Social Transformations (4)

Examines issues of human rights and how meaningful activities are important to identity, agency, health, and political power in the wake of tragedy.

OT 360 Creating the Self through Narrative: Acts of Life Story Production (4)

Focuses on the actual telling of life stories and the circumstances of their production. Telling one’s life story is a life-long occupation. It is far more than a personal account; rather it is shaped by other cultural narratives and through specific interactions with others. Self-awareness, self-making, and self understanding are emphasized; you will gain specific interview skills and learn to write a life narrative.

OT 375 The Narrative Structure of Social Action: Narrative, Healing and Occupation (4)

Considers how personal narratives guide the actions and choices we make in carrying out our occupations and helping to create our day-to-day life. This course explores how stories help us make sense of actions and experiences, guide future acts, and also play a vital role in healing rituals and personal transformations. In class you will combine discussion, analysis, and practical experience.

OT 390 Special Problems (1-4)

Supervised, individual studies. No more than one registration permitted. Enrollment by petition only.

OT 405 Foundations: Occupation (2)

Introduction to basic tenets of occupational therapy history and practice, the profession’s language, and foundations of occupational science; incorporates experience and analysis of activities. Open only to upper division and master’s occupational therapy majors.

OT 406 Foundations: Creativity, Craft and Activity Analysis (2)

Exploration of craftsmanship in both historical and contemporary contexts; engagement in the craft experience to encourage creativity and to develop proficiency in analysis of performance. Open only to upper division, Master and Professional OT majors.

OT 440 Foundations: Kinesiology (2)

Review of joint and muscle structure and function; application of basic biomechanical, neuromuscular and musculoskeletal principles to the analysis of everyday activities and therapeutic interventions. Open only to upper division and master’s occupational therapy majors.

OT 441 Foundations: Neuroscience (2)

Application of basic neural function to the analysis of daily living tasks and activities; review of pathological conditions that interfere with performance in occupation. Open only to upper division and master’s occupational therapy majors.

OT 490x Directed Research (2-8)

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit. Open only to OT majors.

OT 499 Special Topics (2-4, max 8)

Course content to be selected in occupational therapy and occupational science.

OT 505 Seminar in Occupational Therapy (2-4)

Occupational therapy and the health care system. Open only to OT majors. Graded CR/NC.

OT 511 Therapeutic Use of Self (2)

Exploration of efficacy, therapeutic use of self, empathy and mindfulness; development of self-awareness to support the art, craft and skill of effective therapeutic relationships. Open only to upper division and master’s level occupational therapy majors. Prerequisite: OT 405, OT 440, OT 441.

OT 518 Quantitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice (4)

Traditions and methods of quantitative research; emphasis on formulation of clear clinical questions; finding, evaluating, and applying evidence to a clinical problem; includes journal club. Open only to upper division and master’s level occupational therapy majors. Prerequisite: OT 515 and OT 501 or OT 502 or OT 503.

OT 521 Clinical Reasoning (3)

Dynamic look at creation and application of professional knowledge and expertise; examines interrelationship between theory and practice; incorporates narrative and illness experiences in clinical reasoning. Open only to upper division and master’s level occupational therapy majors. Prerequisite: OT 511 and OT 501 or OT 502 or OT 503.

OT 523 Communication Skills for Effective Practice (3)

Principles of written, verbal and non-verbal communication with professionals, clients and families, from a personal and professional perspective; group interventions; interview skills; advocacy as communication. Open only to upper division and master’s level occupational therapy majors. Prerequisite: OT 511 and OT 501 or OT 502 or OT 503.

OT 525 Qualitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice (4)

Traditions and methods of qualitative research; development of skills for research design, implementation and dissemination; critique of qualitative research for evidence-based practice and occupational science. Open only to upper division and master’s level occupational therapy majors. Prerequisite: OT 405, OT 440, OT 441.

OT 537 Occupation-Centered Programs for the Community (4)

Development of a proposal for new or extended services; includes trends analysis, needs assessment, literature review, marketing plan, mock funding request, program evaluation and presentation. Open only to occupational therapy majors.

OT 538 Current Issues in Practice: Adulthood and Aging (2)

Exploration of adulthood, aging and occupation; Current topics related to aging population and occupational therapy to promote health and participation throughout the lifespan. Open only to occupational therapy majors.

OT 540 Leadership Capstone (2)

Professional capstone in leadership, advocacy, ethical reasoning, professional behavior, and public policy as it impacts the practice of occupational therapy; independent professional externship.

OT 545 Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science (2)

Advanced analysis of occupational science concepts including dimensions of occupation and the impact of occupation on health and well-being; factors associated with participation in occupation at the individual, community and global levels. Open only to occupational therapy majors.

OT 555 Seminar: Implementation of the Advocacy Model (2-4)

The patient as decision-maker in chronic care; competency development through activities of daily living, leisure skills, time organization and life goal planning; action research. Open only to OT majors.

OT 560 Contemporary Issues in School-Based Practice (4)

Current issues in school-based occupational therapy evaluation, ongoing assessment and intervention. Topics include successful collaboration in inclusive classrooms and on IFSP and IEP teams. Open only to OT majors. Graded CR/NC.

OT 564 Sensory Integration (4)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of sensory integration theory. Basic intervention principles are reviewed and integrated with concepts from occupational science and evidence-based practice. Students gain expertise in interpretation of child behavior using specialized knowledge regarding sensory processing and praxis. The course fulfills Perspective Course requirements for certification in sensory integration. Open only to OT majors. Graded CR/NC.

OT 571 Assistive Technology (4)

Principles of assessment, selection, training, and follow-up with clients in the use of assistive technologies to enable and enhance participation in a meaningful occupation. Open only to OT majors. Graded CR/NC.

OT 572 Ergonomics (4)

Focus on the effects of physical design in the workplace on users’ injury rate, behavior, performance and stress levels. Intervention for repetitive motion included. Open only to OT majors. Graded CR/NC.

OT 574 Enhancing Motor Control for Occupation (4)

Laboratory examining approaches to assessment and remediation of motor control following upper motor neuron lesions. An occupation-based approach to Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) will be emphasized. Open only to OT majors. Graded CR/NC.

OT 575 Dysphagia Across the Lifespan: Pediatrics through Geriatrics (2)

A comprehensive investigation of the anatomy and physiology of normal and abnormal swallowing. Didactic and hands-on study of assessment and treatment interventions will be addressed. Open only to OT majors. Graded CR/NC.

OT 576 Universal Design (4)

Examination of the concepts and principles of universal design and the benefits of the approach for people with disabilities and for all individuals. Open only to Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science majors. Graded CR/NC.

OT 578 Therapeutic Communication for the Healthcare Practitioner (2)

Explores the principles and practice of therapeutic communication including motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Graded CR/NC. Not open to undergraduates.

OT 581 Quantitative Research for the Practicing Clinician (4)

Traditions and methods of quantitative research for practicing clinicians; emphasis on formulation of clear clinical questions; finding, evaluating, and applying evidence to a clinical problem. Open only to occupational therapy majors.

OT 583 Lifestyle Redesign (4)

Seminar examining occupations and lifestyle redesign as a contribution to health and well-being. Topics include therapeutic process, needs assessment, design and marketing of lifestyle modules. Open only to occupational therapy majors. Graded CR/NC.

OT 586 Clinical Internship with Seminar (1-2, max 6)

Clinical internship to qualify for professional certification. Seminar to integrate theory with application of treatment principles for various populations. Graded CR/NC. Open only to OT majors. Prerequisite: completion of all OT major academic requirements.

OT 590 Directed Research (1-12)

Research leading to the master’s degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the Division. Graded CR/NC. Open only to OT majors.

OT 594abz Master’s Thesis (2-2-0)

Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC. Open only to OT majors.

OT 599 Special Topics (2-4, max 8)

Recent developments in occupational therapy and occupational science.

OT 604 Temporal Adaptation: Organization and Use of Time (4, 2 years)

Environmental, biological, psychological and sociocultural influences on perceptions of and utilization of time. Implications for human adaptation.

OT 610 Sensory Integrative Dysfunction (4)

This course offers students the opportunity to apply sensory integration theory in exemplary family-oriented, occupational-centered, evidence based clinical practices. Expert mentors help students develop specialized intervention and consultation skills as they work directly with children, their families and teachers. This course fulfills requirements for certification in sensory integration. A special application is required for this limited enrollment course, which is usually taken after completing all degree requirements. Please note that tuition for OT 610 (Summer) is not included in fall or spring semester. Students who wish to take OT 610 in the summer must pay a separate 4 units of tuition for the summer session. Prerequisite: admission by advance application and instructor’s approval only; must be certified as an occupational or physical therapist. Learn more.

OT 612 Information Processing and Occupation (4, 2 years)

Phylogenesis and ontogenesis of human information processing capacity enabling engagement in occupation; components and contributions to adaptation and coping.

Review of current occupational science research as it is applied to practice; examination of leadership opportunities; development of proposal focusing on chosen area of study. Open only to occupational therapy doctoral students. Prerequisite: OT 585.

OT 621 Occupational Therapy Leadership: Contemporary Issues (4)

Examination of themes in occupational therapy related to power, confidence, and identity; development of leadership skills; analysis of the impact of policy and advocacy on occupational therapy. Open only to occupational therapy doctoral students.

OT 640 Conceptual Foundations of Occupational Science (4)

Analysis of the conceptual foundations and methodological orientations for occupational science, understandings of disciplinary perspectives, formulation of theoretical arguments, and the interpretation of research data.

OT 641 The Nature of Occupation (4)

Theoretical and historical foundations for the study of occupation, engagement in living and learning in everyday life.

OT 642 Therapeutic Uses of Self: Psychodynamic Perspectives (4)

Survey of the diversity of analytic conceptions of subjectivity and intersubjectivity. Emphasis on the way these ideas influence the notion of therapeutic efficacy within Occupational Science.

OT 643 Meaningful Engagement in Everyday Life (4)

Exploration of the subjective experience of meaningful engagement in work, play, and the occupational pursuits of everyday life, drawing on contributions from the social sciences.

OT 644 Foundations of Research on Activity and Health (4)

Examination of effectiveness and efficacy research, study design and methodology, dimensions of adaptation and research methods through the lens of two division-based research programs.

OT 645 Narrative, Healing and the Culture of Biomedicine (4)

Introduction to narrative as analytic framework for considering chronic illness, disability, occupation, and the moral and cultural influences on the clinical reasoning of health professionals.

OT 646 Intersections of Occupational Science and Human Development (4)

Analysis of occupational science perspectives related to human development and participation in sociocultural practices and examination of developmental theories and their relationship to occupational science.

OT 650 Development of Adaptive Skills (4)

Critical analysis of occupation as means and product of human adaptation. Adaptive skill development from traditional and occupational science approaches. Research methods and results.

OT 651 Adaptation and Disability (4)

Social and cultural adaptation to disabilities and stigmatized medical conditions through anthropological studies of groups and individuals. Training in ethnographic methods with such populations. (Duplicates credit in former OT 551.)

OT 653 Play and Occupation (4, 2 years)

Major conceptual, theoretical, and empirical studies of play; development and organization of play in relation to occupation; research on play as occupation. (Duplicates credit in former OT 553.)

OT 655 Work and Leisure (4)

Ontogenesis and phylogenesis of work and leisure. Systems view of person/environmental interactions affecting competence and satisfaction with activity. Occupation and the need for mastery.

OT 660 Research Practicum (2, max 12)

Experiential learning through immersion in one or more externally funded research groups in the Division, enabling intense participation in multi-skilled research groups. Graded CR/NC. Open only to Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science majors.

OT 686 Residency (6 or 12, max 24)

Residency involving development, administration, evaluation, or policy formulation for occupation-centered programs in clinical or community settings. Development of portfolio for professional doctorate. Open to OT majors only. Graded CR/NC.

OT 790 Research (1-12)

Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the Division. Graded CR/NC. Open only to OT majors.

OT 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0)

Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC. Open only to OT majors.